DefinePK

Abstract

The practice of academic plagiarism is not something new in the world and the easy access to information with „copy and paste‟ technology has caused a rapid increase in the practice in recent years. Hence, academic institutions are taking strict measures to combat plagiarism. Universities of developed regions are using anti plagiarism software to detect plagiarism and are putting substantial efforts to create anti plagiarism awareness and guidance among researchers. In addition, the scholarly literature shows that their libraries are also working in the promotion of fair use of information and plagiarism free research culture on campuses. This study investigates the case of current anti plagiarism practices of the universities and their libraries in Pakistan as a developing country of South Asian region. A questionnaire was designed and sent to the head librarians of the central university libraries (ULs) of all HEC recognized universities to collect data on the anti-plagiarism practices of the universities and their libraries. The findings indicate that while universities of Pakistan are determined to control plagiarism; they are more focused on the use of anti-plagiarism software as compared to creating awareness and guidance about avoiding plagiarism among researchers. ULs are also participating to combat plagiarism with an informal status in software base plagiarism detection service and irregular practice of different anti plagiarism guidance activities